The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman

_ 133 _ their artillery, they found a heap of earth which was surrounded by water at high tide, just like an islet. At low tide they could reach it on foot. Because it rose high above the beach the Moors had turned it into a bastion and placed fifty well-chosen men to guard some artillery pieces there. Afonso de Albuquerque had seen this islet the day before and had realized that it could cause trouble so he had sent Afonso Lopes da Costa and Antonio do Campo there, he had seen a great gathering of people on it. With his artillery attacking the shore he sent them once again and told them to attack it. Meanwhile, Afonso de Albuquerque with his other captains went to the extreme end of the beach so as to land and attack the artillery which was in the port, for had he approached it from the front, it would have been very dangerous. Giving of their best as he had ordered, Afonso Lopes da Costa and Antonio do Campo engaged the Moors who were on the islet and ceded at the cost of one of our men dead some wounded. The Moors abandoned the place, leaving four or five dead and withdrew to refuge in the town. Afonso de Albuquerque for his part was attacking the place where the enemy artillery was placed, doing battle with the Moors who came towards him to defend the entrance. There were so many arrows and the fighting was so fierce

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